Koh Young Technology, a South Korean mid-sized company specializing in 3D inspection equipment, has seen its stock price surge by about 64% since Jan. 2025. The jump follows news on Jan. 20 that the company’s medical robot is set to enter the U.S. market. That day, its stock hit the daily limit, and the following day it rose an additional 19.3%.
The rise in stock value came after Koh Young received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its self-developed brain surgery robot. The announcement coincided with the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration emphasized revitalizing domestic manufacturing, prompting speculation in financial markets about Koh Young’s potential benefits.
Founded in 2002 by Koh Kwang-il, a first-generation robotics researcher, Koh Young has dominated the global market for inspection equipment used in electronics and semiconductor production. Koh Young’s machines are mainly used to inspect how well solder is applied and how securely components are assembled. They are essential for industries like mobile electronics, automotive electronics, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Building on its expertise in optics, mechatronics (a fusion of mechanical and electronic engineering), software, and artificial intelligence, Koh Young ventured into medical equipment, developing the brain surgery robot “KYMERO.” The company obtained manufacturing and sales approval from S. Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2016. Since then, the technology has been used in over 500 surgeries at six major hospitals in S. Korea, demonstrating its technical capabilities.
Koh Young’s surgical robot serves as a navigation tool, tracking surgical instruments in real time and guiding precise surgical movements. By improving accuracy, the robot enhances success rates while reducing patient pain and the risk of complications, marking a new paradigm in brain surgery.
While robotic systems like the da Vinci Surgical System are widely used in general surgery, the field of robotic-assisted brain and spinal surgeries is still in its infancy. Koh Young estimates that the global market for neurosurgical robots will grow from approximately 2 trillion won ($1.3 billion) in 2021 to about $3.4 billion by 2028.
With around 1,400 hospitals equipped for brain surgeries, the United States represents a key growth market. Riding the momentum of FDA approval, Koh Young aims to sell more than 10 Kymero units in the U.S. this year, each priced at about $1 million. If successful, the company could add $10 million in revenue. The strong U.S. dollar, which recently traded above 1,400 won, is expected to further boost earnings.
Industry observers are closely watching how the company’s new ventures will impact its financial performance after recent struggles. Koh Young has faced challenges as downstream industries like semiconductors and automotive electronics slowed investment, with most clients delaying equipment purchases. Only a few sectors, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Taiwanese clients, have maintained steady demand, providing some relief amid the overall downturn.
According to financial data provider FnGuide, Koh Young’s 2024 revenue is expected to reach $142.8 million, with operating profit projected to drop by half to $6.8 million compared to the previous year.
However, projections for 2025 show signs of recovery, with revenue forecasted to rise 16% to $166.4 million and operating profit expected to more than double to $16.9 million. Koh Young is also pursuing approval from Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in the first half of this year, paving the way for significant expansions into both U.S. and Japanese markets. The company anticipates 2025 to mark the beginning of a new era in its global business development.